Watkins Nature Center
301 Watkins Park Drive
Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
301-218-6702; TTY 301-699-2544
Watkins Nature Center Curriculum Based School Programs
Watkins Nature Center offers specific curriculum based programs for elementary school groups. Most programs generally lasts about 45 minutes. All programs are by reservation only. There is a $1 per student fee for Prince George's County and Montgomery County Schools, and a $2 per student fee for non-county schools. Teachers and chaperones will not be charged. Reservations should be made by calling Watkins Nature Center (301-218-6702) at least 2 weeks in advance. Six to eight weeks in advance is recommended for spring programs as we book up fast. Please plan to be on time. Large groups may have to be divided into smaller groups for multiple programs. Listed below are the program titles and description, and grade levels.
Making Sense of Nature (Pre-K-K): Use your senses to meet animals and learn in a child-friendly way to touch and enjoy nature. Students will: 1) identify the 5 senses and the related body parts, 2) classify objects based on sensory information to include color, texture, size, sound, taste or shape.
Wild Things (Pre-k-adult): Targeted to your age group, naturalist choose several live animals to introduce, which can include reptiles, mammals, or birds of prey. Students will: 1) identify the different characteristics of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians, and 2) learn about local animal species.
Be An Earth Saver (2nd-5th grade): Describes how to be an earth saver by recycling, reducing, and reusing garbage and identifies the recycling symbol (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle). Students will identify and sort items, which can be recycled.
Reptiles & Amphibians (1st-adult): Meet local & exotic snakes, turtles, frogs and toads. Students will: 1) Observe the life cycle characteristics of an amphibian, 2) describe the differences between a reptile and an amphibian, and 3) investigate and explore the behavioral patterns of reptiles and amphibians.
Dinosaurs (1st-2nd grade): Learn about the dinosaurs of Maryland and the United Sates. Students will: 1) learn what a fossil is. 2) describe what scientists can infer about dinosaurs based on fossilized remains, and 3) theorize why dinosaurs are not living today.
Insects vs. Spiders (2nd-3rd grade): Compare and contrast the differences between insects and spiders. Students will: 1) identify the different characteristics of insects and spiders, 2) learn about the varying life cycles of insects, and 3) investigate and explore predictable behavioral patterns of insects and spiders.
Birds of Prey (2nd grade-adult): Meet several of our live resident hawks, owls, or vultures. Students will: 1) classify animals according to their diet, 2) describe the interdependence of living things within an ecosystem, and 3) describe behavioral and physical adaptations of birds.
Animals in Winter (2nd-adult): Offered December-February, Learn how local animals survive the winter. Students will: 1) define migration and identify animals that migrate, 2) define hibernation and identify animals that hibernate, and 3) describe habitat and resource availability during winter months.
Web of Life (2nd-5th grade): Learn about the food chains in nature and their connections. Meet some live animals and learn how they get their dinner. Students will: 1) learn what a food chain is, and 2) describe the interdependence of living things within an ecosystem.
Indians of Southern Maryland (3rd-6th grade): Compare and contrast the Native Piscataway's use of natural resources in their daily lives with our use of natural resources in our daily lives, may include outdoor activity. Group size is limited to 30 students. Note: No live animals are used in this program.
Rocks & Minerals (4th-6th grade): Learn various uses of rocks and classify them according to their properties. Students will: 1) Identify that rocks are composed of minerals, 2) describe properties of rocks to include color, size, weight, shape & texture, and 3) describe the formation of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Group size is limited to 30 students. Note: No live animals are used in this program.
Discovery Hike (1st grade-adult): Targeted to your age group, naturalists will identify some common trees and plants, identify poison ivy, and look for signs of wildlife. Group will enjoy a 45-minute walk on our trails. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Group size is limited to 15-20 persons per naturalist.
Bus Permits
Bus permits are required for Watkins Regional Park. These are free to Prince George's County groups and will be mailed to you upon calling the Park Permits Office at 301-918-8111. Bus permits are $30 for non-resident groups who have not scheduled a program with the Nature Center. Requests for non-county school bus permits should be made directly to the Nature Center when booking your program to ensure you are not charged. The number of buses is limited in the park for your convenience.
Location/Directions -
Located in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, in Watkins Regional Park, one mile west of the Six Flags America amusement park.
From the Capital Beltway (I-495), take Exit 15A (Central Avenue) east. Continue for approximately three miles. Turn right onto Watkins Park Drive (Route 193) and follow the park signs to the facility.
From Route 301, turn onto Central Avenue (Route 214) west. Continue for approximately three miles (past Six Flags America). Turn left onto Watkins Park Drive and follow to the park entrance on the right.
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